Men’s Hoops Tabbed Third; Walker Named Preseason All-MAC

Photo by: David Dermer

Men’s Hoops Tabbed Third; Walker Named Preseason All-MAC

10/30/2018 9:59:00 AM | Men's Basketball

CLEVELAND, Ohio- The Kent State University men's basketball team has been selected third in the East Division in the 2018-19 Mid-American Conference preseason poll, as announced Tuesday. In addition, Jaylin Walker has been selected to the East Division Preseason All-MAC Team.

The Flashes, who are led by eighth-year head coach Rob Senderoff, received 122 votes in the East Division to finish third in the preseason poll. Buffalo was picked to win the east division with 210 points and 35 first-place votes, as well as predicted as MAC Tournament Champions. Eastern Michigan, slated to win the West Division, also received votes to win the MAC Tournament.

Kent State returns six players from last year's team, including three starters in proven seniors Walker, Jalen Avery, and junior Danny Pippen in the post. Other notable returners for the Flashes is senior Akiean Frederick, junior Mitch Peterson, and lone sophomore BJ Duling.

Walker earns his second Preseason All-MAC nod after another breakout performance in his junior year. Walker is coming off a season in which he was seventh in the Mid-American Conference averaging 16.6 points per game. He scored a season-high 27 points in a home win against arch-rival Akron and made a three-pointer in all but one game this season.

Walker was named Third Team All-MAC for the first time in his career and voted to the NABC All-District Second Team. He currently ranks 17th in school history scoring 1,222 career points and fourth with 202 made three-point field goals.

Kent State will open the season Saturday, Nov. 10 against Cleveland State in the Northeast Ohio Coaches vs. Cancer Doubleheader, hosted by Cleveland State at the Wolstein Center at 7 p.m.

2018-19 MAC Men's Basketball Preseason Poll

East Division -- Points (first place votes)

1. Buffalo – 210 (35)

2. Miami – 127

3. Kent State – 122

4. Ohio – 121

5. Akron – 97

6. Bowling Green – 58

West Division – Points (first place votes)

1. Eastern Michigan – 183 (17)

2. Ball State – 175 (11)

3. Toledo – 156 (5)